Electric bell.



PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907.

R. L. HUNTER. ELECTRIC BELL.

APPLICATION FILED JUN1: 9, 1905.

2 BHEETS -SHEET 1 Minese:

PATENTED SEPT. 17, 19Q7.

R. L. HUNTER. ELEOTRIU BELL.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 9, 1905.

2 BHEETS-SHEET 2.

in vn for.

minesses UNI ED STATES PATEN OFFICE.

ROBERT L. Human, OF LAKEWOOD, OHIO, As sIoNoR OF ONE-HALF TO DON M. OSBORNE,

' 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

ELECTRIC BELL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Sept. 17, 1907.

I Application filed June 9,1905. Serial No. 264,368.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT L. HUNTER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Lakewood, county of Cuyahoga,'and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Electric Bells, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained, andthe best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, s as to distinguish it 'from other inventions.

- My invention relates to vibrating electric bells, and particularly to that class of the latter 'which are of a solenoid construction, and has for its object the provision of means constituting such an article of manufacture which shall be economical in its construction, efiicient in use and the parts of which shall be readily and cheaply replaceable when they become worn.

Said invention consists of means hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in the claims;

The annexed drawings and the followingdescr'iption set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In saidannexed drawings: Figure 1 represents a central longitudinal section of my improved electric bell;

Fig. 2 represents a side view of the-same, the gong being shown in'section; Fig. 3 represents a central longitudinal section of an adjusting screw containing therein a spring-contact forming an element of my invention; Fig. 4 represents an elevation of a contact-plug forming another element of my invention; Fig. 5 represents a partial central vertical section and a partial elevation of an auxiliary base adapted to be used in my inven tion, the casing of the bell being shown in broken elevation; Fig. 6 represents a central longitudinal section a of a modification of my invention in which the elements shown'in Figs. 3 and 4 are reversed in position; Fig. 7

represents a plan view of the modification shown in Fig.6, the gong being shown in section; Fig. 8 represents an elevation of a contact-plug forming an element of said modification; and Fig. 9 represents a central verticalsection of a solenoid core including a spring-contact forming a second element of said modification.

My invention contemplates the provision of a makeand-break vibrating electric bell, in which the break shall occur across the lines of force of the magnetic field developed by the energizing coil or heliisin order that the tendency of the current to form an arc between the cbntac't-points may be counteracted, the effect being the equivalent of that produced by the blow out magnets extensively employed in certain classes of controllers. I accordingly inclose the solenoid of my bell within a casing of cast-iron, designated byA in Figs. 1, 2 and G. Said casing has cast inwardly with it an internal centrally-located pole-piece a, extending from the bottom of the casing and approximately one-half the height of the same, said pole-piece being provided with a suitable recess (1 adapted to receive a spring hereinafter more fully described. f

Extending laterally from the top of the casing are two projections a upon which .is secured a cover B by means of suitable screws a one of said screws being incased in insulation a for the purpose of making suitable connections. The casing A and cover B thus form an inclosure for the other parts of the bell, hereinafter to be described, which effectually excludes all dust, moisture, insects and other injurious extraneousmatter from the inner bell-parts and prevents the chairing and burning of such matter upon the contact-points which would cause deposits to form thereon and destroy their efficiency.

Extending laterally from the casing is a projection o Figs. 2 and 7, adapted to support a gong E shown as entirely incasing the frame A.

Extending laterally from the frame A opposite to the projection 41 is another projection o within which is cast a suitable wbod screw a", Fig. 2, or other suitable permanent attaching means by whichthe hell can be readily and easily secured to any suitable support. If it is not desired to thus support the bell, an auxiliary base F may be provided for the same in which the wood screw 0, is dispensed with and a suitable screw f passed through the base F from beneath the same into the projection. a as clearly shown in Fig. 5.

The cover B is cast with a suitable recess b within which is seated a porcelain insulating head b having a rubber, may be used in place of the porcelain. In-

closed by said porcelain head, in the form of device shown in the drawings, is an insulation b which provides a suitable bearing for the movable portion of the solenoid hereinafter to be more fully described. It is not essential to my device that the insulation b be used since the porcelain head is itself an insulator and would provide a suitable bearing for said movable portion of the solenoid. On the other hand, any other substance may be used in the place of the insulation b non-magnetic or otherwise, provided it will serve to carry the adjusting-screw .b" hereinafter described. If brass 'were used, instead of the porcelain head, it would then be necessary to provide an insulating-bearing for the movable, portion of the solenoid intermediate of such brass head and the adjusting screw 1). Within the porcelain head b a brass sleeve may be inserted, in place of the insulation b or such brass sleeve may be cast in the porcelain head-which would thus obviate the use of the jam-nut b The helix or coil of the solenoid is represented by G, is inclosed within the casing A, and surrounds the polepiece a, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 6. A plunger or piston D acts as a movable member or core for the solenoid and is provided with a suitable shoulder d adapted toreceive either a contact-plug or a spring-contact, as will be hereinafter fully described. Secured to the lower portion of said plunger D is a rod or stem d of brass or other suitable non-magnetic metal adapted to serve as a hammer-stem and carrying at its outer end a hammer or striker d adapted to contact with the gong E. Said plunger D is normally held in its upper or outermost position by means of a spring d contained within the recess a of the pole-piece 11. Figs. 1 and 6.

The circuit utilized for energizing the solenoid is represented by G and the course of the actuating-current therethrough is shown by the arrows in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7. My means of making and breaking the current consist of two contact-points relatively movable and I shall now describe the same, it being noted that Figs. 1, 3 and 4 represent one form thereof, and 6, 8 and 9 another form thereof, the difference in the relative constructions and positions of said contact-points being wherein my primary form of bell and its modification are 'unlike. shall first describe said contact-points with reference to Figs. 1, 3 and 4. Seated in theinsulation 11 contained within the cover B is an adjusting screw b provided with a suitable jam-nut b containing a removable spring-contact b yieldingly-mounted within the recess b by means of the spring b and provided with a suitable contact-point b having a suitable guide or leader 1). Secured within the shoulder d of the plunger D is a removable contact-plug d carrying at. its outer end a second contact-point (P. It will be clearly noted from Fig. 1 that the tension of the spring 6 tends to hold the contact-points I) and d together so as to normally keep the circuit closed, I having mentioned above that these contact-points b and d are the means for making and breaking the circuit.

When I use the term break hereinafter, I will be understood to mean the breaking of the circuit or the interruption of the current between the two relatively movable contact-points b and d My construction of bell will not require the contactpoints to be replaced very often; however, it will be noted that both the spring-contact and the contact-plug are readily detachable from the .remainder of the bell, so that they can be easily and economically replaced by new parts,in the event that they do become worn or otherwise destroyed,without changing or replacing the other parts of the apparatus. I

Referring now to Figs. 6, 8, and 9, it will be noted that the shoulder of the plunger D is enlarged into an extension d and contains a spring-contact J yieldinglymounted by means of the spring 9' within the recess j, having a suitable contact-point j and a guide or leader j distance above the location of the contact-point j, Fig. 9, in order that said contact-point may be held within the influence of the lines of force developedinsaid extension. Adapted to be secured in the insulation b is the adjusting screw H serving as a contact-plug, with a jam-nut h and a second contact- The extension (1 extends a considerable point h. The upper part of the core or movable por tion of the solenoid extends up beyond the casing and above the cover B, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, and is which are lost in devices in which the core of the solenoid is balanced.

By describing and showing the upper pole-piece D as the core or movable portion of the solenoid, I do not intend to limit myself to this construction, since it is Within the spirit of my invention to reverse the construction and impart to the pole-piece a the reciprocatory movements or strokes of the movable portion of the solenoid, or even to make both pole-pieces movable. Also, it is optional. as to whether the spring 7' or b be inserted within the upper or lower polepiece. The solenoid coil or winding 0 is preferably Wound about a paper tube, and the windings held together by paraffin, or other suitable binding material, which should preferably also furnish added insulation.

As an element in the economical construction of my improved bell, it can be noted that this coil 0 may be simply-a rough bundle of wound wire which is in-. serted within a rough casing or casting. In fact the wire may be purchased in this wound shape from the manufacturers all ready for use, which saves a considerable part of the cost of the-more elaborate and delicate coils or magnets of the present forms of vibrating electric bells.

As a consequence following the constructionof cas ing A above set forth it will be, obvious that the outsidelines of the resultant field of the solenoid will be concentrated by the casing shell in thesame manner as the. inside lines are by pole piece a and plunger D. It will be further noted that the path afforded by such casing is continuous save for the slight break occasioned by the introduction of insulation plug 1/] Across this the lines of force easilypass, and it. is just at this point that the circuit is alternately made and broken. The formation of an are between the contact points d and b orj and h, is thus prevented as has been earlier pointed out. The residual mag netism that persists even after the current is broken still further assures the efficacy of this operation. Accordingly thev destructive burning action of the arc that is present in other types of bellsis here eliminated, and that, too, without the use of additional elements in the bell structure and without the expenditure of additional current. I p

The operation of my improved electric bell, which is as follows, will be readily apparent from the above description. The actuatingcurrent passes through the following elements in series; the positive .wire

from the battery, the insulated screw a, the coil from the outer to the inner winding, the adjusting screw b contact-points b and d plunger D, brass rod d, polepiece a, casing A, and the negative wire to the battery. The inward stroke of the core D, due to the energizing of the solenoid, breaks the circuit at the contact-points I) and d and the core is then actuated tact-plugs and spring-contacts can be easily replaced by new ones, when for any reason they become worn or otherwise rendered useless, without necessitating the additional expense and inconvenience of replacing the other parts of the bell which are in serviceable condition, the comparatively large and long polepiece a concentrates the lines of force so as to-rencler the inward stroke of the core D quick and strong; the bell operates very rapidly and gives a clear and definite sound at every stroke, due 'to the quick and complete cutting-off of the are at the break by the lines of force; and, due to the location of the contactpoints within the casing A and within the sphere of action of the lines of force, the arc is destroyed each time the break occurs, and said contact-points are not burned out and rendered useless as they soon would be if they were not so located.

Having described my invention in detail, that which I particularly point out and distinctly claim is:

plunger beingjjournaled at one end iii said head and at the other in the opposite end of said casing.

2. In an electricbell, the combination of a casing of magnetic material inclosing the coil or helix of the bell, an insulating head inserted in said casing opposite one end of said coil or helix and provided with an internal bearing in axial alinement therewith, and a plunger lying within said coil or helix and having its one end reciprocably mounted in such hearing.

3. In an electric bell of solenoid construction, the combination of a casing of magneticmaterial inclosing the solenoid and provided with an integral polepiece projecting within one end of such solenoid, an insulating nonmagnetic head inserted in the end of said casing opposite such pole-piece, a contact member mounted in said head, and a plunger reciprocable within said solenoid and resiliently held in contact with said contact member.

4. In an electric bell of solenoid construction, the combination of a casing of magnetic material inclosing the solenoid and provided with "an integral pole-piece projecting within one end oi? such solenoid, an insulating nonmagnetic head inserted in the end of said casing opposite such pole-piece, a contact member mounted in said head, and a plunger reciprocable within said solenoid and resi1i ently held in contact with said contact'member, said plunger. being journaled at one end in said pole-piece and at the other in said head.

5. In an electric bell-of solenoid construction, the com- 7 bination of a casing of magnetic material 'inclosing the solenoid and provided with an integral pole-piece projecting within one end of such solenoid, an insulating nonmagnetic liead inserted in the end of's aid casing opposite such pole-piece, a contact member mounted in said head,

and a plunger reciprocable within said solenoid and resiliently held -in contact with said contact-member, said plunger being provided at one end with a stem of nonmagnetic conducting material journaled in said pole-piece and being itself journaled-at the other end in said head.

6. In an electric bell, the combination oil a solenoid, a casing of conducting material inclosing the same, a plunger within said solenoid, said plunger being reciprocably mounted at one end in said casing, an insulated contact member projecting within said casing at its other end, resilient means normally maintaining said plunger in contact with said member, and circuit connections between one terminal of said solenoid and said contact-member, said casing and the other terminal of said solenoid being respectively connected with the two poles of the battery.

7. In an electric bell, the combination of a so enoid, a casing of magnetic material inclosing the same, a plunger within said solenoid, said plunger being reciprocably mounted at one end in said casing, an insulated contactmember projecting within said casing at its other end, resilient means normally maintaining said plunger in contact with said member, and circuit connections between one terminal of said solenoid and said contact-member, said casing and the other terminal of said solenoid being respectively connected with the two poles of the battery.

8. In an elecl fic bell, the combination of a casing of magnetic material inclosing the coil or helix of the bell and provided with a hollow pole-piece projecting within one end of such coil or helix, an insulating head inserted in .:aid casing opposite the other end of such coil or helix, in contact member mounted in said head, and a plunger reciprocably mounted in said hollow pole-piece and adapted to contact with said contact member.

9. In an electric bell, the combination of a casing of magnetic material inclosing the coil'or helix ofthe bell and provided with a hollow pole-piece projecting within one end of such coil 01' helix, an insulating non-magnetic head inserted in said casing opposite the dther end of such coil or helix, a contact member mounted in said head, a plunger reciprocahly. mounted in said hollow pole-piece, and a spring normally holding said plunger in contact with said member.

10. In an electric bell, the combination of a casing oi.

'magnetic material inclosing the coil or helix of the bell and provided with a hollow pole-piece projecting within one end of such coil or helix, an insulating head inserted -'in said casing opposite the other end of such coil or helix and provided with an internal bearing in allnement with such pole-piece, a contact member mounted in said head,

and a plunger reciprocably mounted in said pole-piece and head and adapted to contact with said contact member.

11. As a new article of manufacture, a make-and-break electric bell of solenoid construction having a suitable moisture-tight casing provided with a cover detachably secured to said casing by one insulated and one non-insulated connection, and having a non-magnetic insulating bearing-portion for the core of saidsolenoid, the break occurring within said cover and inside the field of the lines of force .thereof.

12. Asa new article oi? manufacture, a make-and-break electric bell of solenoid construction having a suitable casing; an auxiliary base secured to said casing; a suitable cover detachably secured to said casing by one insulated and one non-insulated connection and having an insulating head f orming a bearing ,for the movable portion of the solenoid.

Signed by me, this 2nd day of June, 1905.

ROBERT L. HUN/PER. Attested by:

, Jno. F. OBEBLIN,

G. W. SAYWELL. 

